*Happy New Year, dear readers! I hope this year proves awesome for all of us!

Without further ado, I give you this chapter, with hopes that you will enjoy it and that you will leave me a small comment by the end of it. Thanks for reading!*

CHAPTER EIGHT

When they landed on Earth, though Starfire had been somewhat sulky over her leaving her planet 'alone' over their trip back –no matter how hard the Titans tried to convince her that the planet was left in more than capable hands, she seemed like she had forgotten everything in a single instant, and squeeled like a child on Christmas day.

"Oh, the Tower!" She said in a high-pitched voice as she flew circles over the building. The rest of the Titans shared a short snort as they entered the house and Starfire soon followed, carrying her enormous bag from the jet. She was anxious to begin redecorating her room.

She soon found out, though, that Robin was anxious to get the team up and running in no time, since she hadn't been there for their initial get-together training sessions, and so her schedule was filled with simulation fights, cooperating each time with a different Titan. She didn't whine the least bit, however, as she was enjoying being back more than anything. Fighting crime was, besides, what she was brought back to do.

Their first day back had been uneventful. Robin thought it was for good, since they would get more time to practice and bond again, even though deep down, he was peckish for some action. Just as he was ready to call Cyborg and Beast Boy for their mid-day session, the alarm sound echoed around the Tower and they all rushed to the front screen. Their camera showed images of four gigantic man-like robots pillaging downtown.

"Rob, I've seen one of those before!" Cyborg called. "Rae and I fought one some time ago."

"The Apokolips inspired one?" Robin asked, agitated, urging them to move outside.

"Yeah! I found a weak spot on the base of their neck."

"That's where we'll aim then!"

"Hold on." Raven said, putting on her hood for the flight to the city center. "You don't know if they're the same. The one we fought was probably a prototype. They might have fixed the weak spot."

Robin wore his motorbike helmet. "We will check on that one then. If they don't, we take them down the classic way."

"Aye, Captain!" Beast Boy said, grinning goofily as they set off.

OOO-OOO-OOO

They were all sitting at the table, exactly the way they had sat down that day. Quiet, lost in thought. Robin broke the silence once again, with a short, timid but honest, laugh. Starfire followed with a loud one, until they were all laughing and grinning. Even Raven was giving them her humble giggle –to Cyborg's building-up adoration.

"Yes!" Robin exclaimed. "That's what I'm talking about!"

"Were we awesome or what?!" Cyborg said, punching Beast Boy's shoulder lightly.

"Indeed you were, friends!" Starfire said. "Our collaboration in the battlefield was most satisfying!"

"Doesn't it bother you, though?" Raven asked, making some of them frown and shaking the blissful atmosphere off.

"What, exactly?" Robin asked.

"That two of them had a weak spot and two didn't."

"Maybe they didn't have the time to fix them all." Cyborg said.

"What was rushing them?" Raven asked.

"That is a good point." Robin agreed.

"We did bring one of them along. We should be able to examine it, right?" Beast Boy asked.

"Yeah, I'll start right away." Cyborg said. "Don't know what I'll find, though."

"I can't shake the feeling that this was a diversion, off." Raven said.

"Mm." Robin said, nodding. "We'll have to entertain that possibility."

"Beast Boy," Raven said, "why don't you run some background checks on any thefts, burglaries, and other noted incidents during the time we were engaged with the robots?"

"Sure. I'll tell you if I run into anything."

"Rob, care to join me and the robot corpses downstairs?" Cyborg asked.

"Yeah."

"I'll get to the checks, then." Beast Boy said and got up, following the boys outside.

"Friend Raven!" Starfire said when they were left alone. "Can I have a personal discussion with you, please?"

Raven shrugged. "What is it about?"

"I have no other friend of the female sex. I require your opinion on the situation between me and Robin."

"I'm listening."

Starfire sighed. "Would you find the formation of a relationship a profitable idea?"

"What I think isn't important. It's what you want that matters."

"Yes, but…"

"But what?"

"What if it does not…'work out', as you, Earthlings, say?"

"Well, was it working out a year ago, when we were a team again?"

"Yes, I believe so."

"Have your feelings towards him changed?"

"I'm still harboring very strong and erotic emotions for Robin."

"He is too." Raven stated surely.

"So, you think we should be together again?"

"Obviously. What's the point in you having a crush on each other and doing nothing about it?"

"You are right."

"Oh, am I?" Raven said, arching an eyebrow.

"Of course. Life is for living. And I want to live my life with Robin now."

"Kudos."

"Thank you, friend Raven! Your words were very enlightening!"

"Aha."

"What about you, then?"

"W-What about me?" Raven asked, feeling her heart speed up. What did Starfire know?

"How are you sentimentally? Will you date Beast Boy again?"

"What?! No!"

"I didn't mean to agitate you! Forgive me! I just thought you might, um, want him back and-"

"No, I don't want him back. At all."

"Okay, okay friend Raven. I want only the best for you and I will support you no matter what you choose to do."

"Thanks?"

"You are most welcome!" Starfire grinned. "I cannot wait to announce my decision to Robin!"

"Has he asked you to get back together?"

"He implied many things when we discussed in Tamaran. Some things very intimate, friend Raven. I believe he will be happy to know we can be together again."

"I agree."

Starfire giggled. "I'm delighted to be back here!"

Raven half-smiled. "Me too."

OOO-OOO-OOO-OOO

Raven would have never expected that a simple discussion with Starfire would cause her such unrest. She really scolded herself for allowing so many things to disturb her sleep during the last few days.

It wasn't the actual point of the discussion that had troubled her; quite the contrary. She was routing for Starfire and Robin to get together; they loved each other and it was only natural. What was going through her mind, was a thing she had said and how easily it had slipped her tongue.

What's the point in you having a crush on each other and doing nothing about it?

She had a hunch. If she could make a guess, she'd say that her feelings towards Cyborg weren't unrequited. He must have been experiencing something like she was, too. She felt it when he dragged her into that embrace back in Tamaran. It was…different. And that made Raven tense up. Would he do anything? Would he even want to? Did he realize that their situation was, indeed, somewhat complicated? Staring out of the cold living room windows, she let a small sigh escape her lips. It was just a hunch. Nothing certain, nothing important, in the end.

Only the dim light of the full moon lit the room, painting everything in shades of grey. It was eerily silent around the room and not even the brush of wind disturbed the sea around the Tower. Raven enjoyed that peculiar tranquility; nothing moved, nothing changed, nothing made a sound. Nothing except for the…door sliding open in the middle of the night.

Startled, she turned her head around and made out the figure of no one else but Cyborg underneath the door frame. She swallowed nervously.

Cyborg knew she would have been there. Nights like this weren't for the rooftop. She enjoyed looking at the moon from the wide living room windows, for some reason. Maybe she felt cozier inside, who knew. He had brought something with him; two cupcakes, bought from the best cupcake shop in town. He wanted them to celebrate their victory on successfully bringing the Titans together and had actually put together a small speech but… How could he focus on speeches at that time? It was dark, it quiet, no one was around and Raven looked absolutely stunning, with the moonlight reflected upon her already-grey skin. He couldn't hold himself. He carelessly tossed the cupcake box on the counter and took some strong and quick steps towards her.

In such dense darkness, Cyborg resembled a ruthless wild animal, fixed on his pray; forceful and dominant. She should have been on edge, she should have been confused, she should have been wary. But no. All she was, was curious.

As soon as Raven was within reach, Cyborg placed his hands on the sides of her face, hastily bringing her closer. He gave her wide eyes a split-of-a-second glance and strongly pressed his lips on hers. She didn't react for the seconds he kissed her. He let go, pulling his face just some inches away, still holding hers. Her eyes scanned him, sparkly as ever. He snorted and slowly approached her lips again, until she closed the distance between them, by kissing him back. He opened his mouth slightly, enough to allow her tongue to explore his lips and felt her wrap her hands around his neck. His hands moved to her waist, gently caressing the sides of her body as they went, and he dragged her closer. She smelled and tasted amazing and he would have never expected her kiss to be so intense.

When they slowly drew back, he ran his hand over her spine and through her hair, dragging her into a sweet hug. He planted his face between her neck and her shoulder, inhaling through her skin and her hair. Raven's hand drew circles over his chest, as her breathing stabilized.

"I knew it…" He whispered, moving a bit away.

"Knew what?" Raven asked, not knowing why she wanted to burst into an awkward laugh.

"That you'd be a hell of a kisser…" He replied, snatching her hand and moving to the couch, placing her on his lap. Raven remained silent, laying her head on his chest, keeping her eyes wide in wonder of what was actually happening. "Raven, I…"

"Mm?"

"If it isn't obvious by now, I think I might have a crush on you!" He said, laughing a bit and grinning goofily.

"It is a messy situation, isn't it?" Raven said, exhaling slowly.

"I know but…I couldn't resist."

"You know… I'm glad you didn't."

Cyborg caressed her shoulder. "I want you to be with me, Rae." He said, knowing that he should be clear with her from the very beginning. What he felt was strong and there'd be no point in hiding it.

Raven pulled herself upward, to turn to look at him. "Cyborg…"

"I know, I know. There's Beast Boy and the team in the middle…"

"Yes…"

"But I'm sure they can understand if we…explain it to them."

"Will they, really?"

"Look, I can't pressure you. If you don't want to be with me too, that's…fine, I s'pose."

"I want." Raven blurred out, surprised at herself and at how effortlessly the answer came to her. "But maybe we should give it some time. To settle things with the…guys."

Cyborg nodded. "Yeah. You're right. It can wait." Raven nodded back and Cyborg smiled at her. "You're amazing, you know that?"

"Come on, now, Cy…"

"No, I mean it!"

"Yeah…"

Since words wouldn't make Raven understand just how much he wanted her at that moment, Cyborg would have to resort to actions like the one before. Smoothly, he smirked at her, running one finger over her bottom lip and kissing her again. More talking could only do the harm now. He wouldn't want to ruin the rest of the night, when they could spend it wordlessly, with their mouths engaged elsewhere. Talk would come when they would have something more to say. Now, they didn't.

At the back of her mind, Raven noticed how her sentimental situation was…stable. She didn't have any magic outbreaks, this all felt right. Unbelievably, surprisingly right.

*At last! Hahah! I sincerely hope you liked it, my darlings! It is a short one, indeed, but I wanted to end it with that scene. The next one will be more…talkative. Thanks for reading!*